A Serious Man

A Serious Man (USA, 2009, 105 mins.): Written and directed by the Coen brothers (Burn After Reading, No Country for Old Men, The Big Lebowski, Fargo), A Serious Man is a dark comedy about a Jewish professor, Larry Gopnik, at a college in the Twin Cities in 1967. Larry¹s marriage is breaking down, his relationship with his two children is increasingly troubled, and his finances are precarious. In addition, he is seeking tenure, though the tenure committee has received anonymous and defamatory letters about him. His wife urges him to seek help from three rabbis, none of whom is able to provide an explanation of or consolation for his troubles. Michael Stuhlbarg, who plays Larry, has been nominated for a Best Actor Golden Globe; the film has won Best Screenplay and Best Picture awards.